Accordion



July 16, 1940. LUTTBEG 2,208,038

ACCORDION Filed Feb. 10, 1938 6 Sheets-Sheet l lkzlezzior W742; luifieyif M Jilly 16, 1940. M. B. LUTTBEG ACCORDION Filed Feb. 10, 1938 6Sheets-Sheet 2 as I I if II 0\// 2a /7 Nadlzzfik A L July 16, 1940LUTTBEG 2,208,038

Filed Feb. 10, 1938 s Sheets-Sheet s(Ill/Il/l/l/l///////////////////////// July 16, 1940.

M. B. LUTTBEG ACCORDION Filed Feb. 10, 1938 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Q0 o Qd o6&0 096mg the true tonal effects.

Patented July 16, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 8 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in accordions.

An accordion contains in each end section or box a plurality of reedtrays. Each tray carries plates on which are fitted the reeds.Heretofore, these blocks or reed trays have been mounted perpendicularto the sound board or apertured wall of the end section in order toconserve the space. Due to the fact that each reed is disposed at rightangle to the axis of the aperture through which the air is admitted theair enters the reed chamber in a direction parallel to the reed and doesnot act on the latter in an efficient manner and the reed does notproduce Furthermore, as some of the reed trays are formed double thereeds of the adjacent trays face each other and the sound Waves producedthereby interfere with each other and impair the tones produced by saidreeds.

One of the objects of the invention is to mount the reed trays at anangle from, the perpendicular with respect to the sound board so thatthe air enters each reed chamber at an angle to the reed and acts uponthe latter with greater eiiect and in a moreefiicient manner, wherebythe sound effects produced are richer and of the desired tonalqualities.

Another object of the invention is to form each reed tray with a singlerow of reed chambers and to position all of said trays in a spaced-apartfan-shaped relation with each other with the reeds of said trays facingall in the same direction so that the sound waves emanating from thereeds of one tray do not oppose or interfere with the sound waves of thereeds of the adjacent tray.

Another object of the invention is to arrange each set of reeds in aseparate tray and to arrange said trays in a spaced-apart relation andinclined from vertical with respect to the base of the tray so that thereed chambers and the reeds thereof are disposed in a plane angular tothe axis of the apertures arranged in said base, whereby the air isadmitted into each reed chamber in a direction angular to the plane ofthe reed.

Another object of the invention is the provi sion of reed trays andclapper or valve mechanisms of improved construction, whereby theapertures for the sharps are spaced suitably from the apertures for thenaturals on the sound board and the tones produced by the two groups arebalanced and equalized and eliminate the preponderance of one set ofnotes over the other.

Another object of the invention is to provide a sound board of woodwhich is dense in structure and possesses excellent sound qualities, thewood preferable for this purpose being India mahogany, also formedVermilion wood.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved means forsecuring the reed trays in position on the sound board.

Additional objects of the invention are to improve upon the keymechanism and provide a novel arrangement of reed trays whereby the 4tones of the naturals and sharps are equalized and finer and loudertones are produced.

With these and other objects in view, my invention consists in certainnovel features of construction and arrangement of parts, hereinaftermore fully described and claimed, and illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, in which Figure l is a front elevation of my improvedaccordion.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of same.

Figure 3 is an enlarged transverse cross section taken through thetreble section of the accordion.

Figure 4 is an enlarged perspective detail view of one of the clapperconnections.

Figure 5 is a fragmental cross section taken on line 55 of Figure 3.

Figure 6 is a cross section taken on line 6-6 of Figure 3.

Figure 7 is an enlarged cross section taken on line 11 of Figure 6.

Figure 8 is an elevation, partly in cross section, of the tray side ofthe treble section.

Figure 9 is a side elevation of one of the trays with the reeds removedtherefrom.

Figure 10 is a fragmental cross section taken through the tray side ofthe treble section.

Figure 11 is an enlarged cross section, partly in elevation, taken online I Ill of Figure 10.

Figure 12 is a fragmental cross section through the bass section of theaccordion.

Figure 13 is an enlarged cross section taken on line l3l3 of Figure 12.

Referring by numerals to the accompanying drawings, the accordionconsists of a treble section III, a base section II, and a bellows l2,the latter extending between said sections.

The treble section contains a keyboard l3 and the bass section containsa keyboard M having buttons or keys l5. If desired, a piano keyboardcould be used in place of keys IS.

The treble section I0 is box-shaped and in cludes a sloping wall IE onwhich the keyboard 13 is arranged. It also includes a sound or clapperboard I! which separates the clapper chamber l8 from the bellows chamberIS. The

board IT is formed with a plurality of apertures which providecommunication between said chambers.

These apertures 20 are arranged in a series of four longitudinal rows Aarranged adjacent to one side of the section 58 and four longitudinalrows B arranged adjacent to the opposite side of said section. Thus thetwo groups of rows are spaced suitably from each other and a substantialportion of the sound board intermediate said groups is formedimperforate and insures better sound qualities. The rows A are for thenaturals and the rows B are for the sharps.

The apertures of each row A are arranged in transverse rows withapertures of the other rows A as indicated at C and the apertures. ofeach row B are disposed in transverse rows with apertures of the otherrows B, as indicated at D. Closing each transverse row E of apertures2|] is a clapper or valve 2| and similarly a clapper or valve 22 closeseach transverse row D of the sharps.

The valves 2| and 22 are arranged in the clapper chamber or on the outerside of the sound board I? as shown in Figure 3. Each valve 2| iscarried by the outer end oi a rod 23, the inner end of which extendstoward the sloping boa-rd Hi and is fixed to a corresponding natural keyis. Thus when one of the natural keys is depressed a corresponding valve2! is raised to open one of the transverse rows C of apertures 23.

Each valve 22 is mounted on one end of a rod or arm 24, which latterextends across sound board H and over valves 2| and has its end 24apivoted on said sound board near the corresponding side wall of sectionH). A rod or arm 25 is fixed at one end to each sharp key i327 andextends forwardly and has its outer end terminating above andintermediate the corresponding rod 24 to which it is connected by ashort coupling or link 26. This link is formed of leather or other likematerial and is preferably fixed to the lower arm 2G and has a slidingengagement with the end of arm 25. When one of the sharp keys |3b isdepressed a corresponding valve 22 is raised and opens one transverseset D of apertures. A spring 2'! is arranged under each key |3a and I3?)and serves to raise said keys and maintains the respective valves inclosed positions.

The lower edge of the sloping wall I6 is cut away intermediate its endsIlia, as indicated at lfib, to provide operating clearance for thevalves 22.

On the inner or bellows side of the sound board are fixed reed trays 28arranged in two groups, naturals E and sharps F. The reed trays aredisposed longitudinally of the section Iii, there being a reed tray foreach longitudinal row A and 1B of apertures l9. As shown, the reed traysare not set perpendicular to the sound board but each is disposed at anangle to the perpendicular, being inclined inwardly.

Preferably the innermost trays of each group are disposed horizontally,as indicated at 28a, the

' \outermost trays Ztlb being set at about 45 degrees while theremaining trays 280 are disposed about equidistant therebetween.However, the outer trays 2812 can be set nearly perpendicular or only afew degrees from perpendicular, if so desired.

Each tray 28 consists of a base 29, a top 3H, and rear wall 3|, and aplurality of transverse reed chambers 32. The base 28 is formed with apluali-ty of apertures 33 which correspond in sizes and spacing to theapertures 2|] of the corresponding rows A or B of the sound board andeach of the apertures 33 opens into a corresponding reed chamber 32. Thebase of each tray is disposed horizontally so that it lies flat on thesound board. The width of each base is so proportioned that they buttagainst each other and automatically space themselves in proper relationon the sound board.

Each reed chamber 32 is closed by a plate 34 having two elongated reedopenings 35 for each chamber 32. Each of these openings has arranged onone side a reed .36 and on the other side the usual closure member 37,the reed and closure member of one opening being disposed on theopposite sides with respect to the corresponding elements of the otheropening so that one reed of each reed chamber is operated both on theexpansion and the compression ofthe bellows.

It will be noted that the reeds of all the trays of each group arearranged to face in one direction, namely, outwardly toward therespective side wall. Thus the tones produced by naturals are directedto one side of the section and the tones of the sharps are directed tothe other side or in the opposite direction.

This arrangement serves to preserve the true tone qualities of the twogroups and eliminates interference with each other.

The trays 28 are removably held in place. The ends of the base of eachtray are extended, as indicated at 38 and 39. The ends 38 fit under anoverhanging shoulder 40 formed by one of the end walls of section II]and the end 39 is bifurcated and is secured to the sound board by ascrew 4|.

In order to insure a close engagement between the sound board and thetrays, each of the latter is formed intermediate its ends with atransverse upwardly opening notch 32 which extends close to the base ofthe tray. The notches of all of the trays are aligned with each other. Abar or clamp 43 extends transversely of the sound board I? and saidtrays and lies in said notches and bears against the bottoms thereof soas to force the tray bases firmly against the sound board. One end ofsaid base is pivotally mounted, as in dicated at 44, to one side of thesection II] and the other end of said bar is secured to the other sideof said section by a screw 45.

The tray or bellows side of the sound board I? has the usual lining 46of soft skin or other suitable material. The attaching means are appliedto the trays only at the bases thereof and consequently there is nodanger of tipping the trays and an air-tight engagement between thesound board and the trays is maintained at all times. Preferably eachtray is provided with the usual slide plate 47, as shown in Figure 3.

The keys l3 and |3b are pivotally mounted on "board it by a single pivotmember 48 which extends the full length of said board. The valve orclapper chamber I8 is enclosed by a suitable vertical member 19 in theusual manner.

The bass section II has a sound board 50 in which are arranged apertures5| disposed in five longitudinal rows X and the apertures of each row Xare in a transverse alignment with the apertures ofthe otherlongitudinalrows, thereby forming a plurality of transverse rows Y. Two

clappers or valves are used for each row Y.

The first clapper 52 is carried by a rod .54 which is pivotally mountedat its outer end adjacent to one of the side walls of section II, asindicated at 55. This clapper controls the first three aper tures of row5, namely 5| a, 5|b and 5|c.

A second clapper 56 is carried by a rod 51 whose outer end is pivotallymounted adjacent to the opposite side wall of section H, as indicated at58. This clapper controls the lasttwo apertures Id and 5le of row Y. Theinner or free ends of rods 54 and 51 overlap the end of a the former,being disposed laterally and above the end of the rod 51, as indicatedat 54a. Thus clapper 52 can be operated to open the first threeapertures without actuating clapper 55. However, the actuation ofclapper 56 automatically operates clapper 52 into open position.

The mechanism for operating these clappers may be the same as that nowused in the art and is actuated by keys or buttons l5 of the basssection l'l. Briefly described, it consists of horizontally disposedrods or rock shafts 58 pivotally mounted in said section above clappers52 and extending longitudinally in said section. Each of these shaftsoperates one of said clappers by means of an extension 59 whichterminates transversely of and under a hook G5 fixed to the respectiverod 54. Thus when one of said rods or shafts 58 is rocked it raises bymeans of its extension the appropriate clapper 52.

Each rod 58 is operated by a plurality of buttons [5. Each buttonoperates a horizontally disposed push rod 59, the inner end of which isslidably mounted in a cross piece 60. These rods are disposed above andtransversely of rock shafts 58 and each pushrod 58 has one or morehorizontally and laterally projecting pins BI, each of which lies infront of a pin 62 fixed to and projecting upwardly from a correspondingrock shaft 58. Thus the operation of a selected button actuates apredetermined rock shaft 58 and moves a corresponding clapper into openposition.

The operation of slappers 56 is similar, the appropriate button l5operating a push rod 64 which through a laterally and horizontallyprojecting pin 65 operates an upwardly projecting pin 66 on one of thehorizontally disposed rock shafts 61. An extension 58 on each of saidrock shafts engages a hook 69 of the corresponding rod 51 and operatesthe clapper carried by said rod.

A spring 54a engages each rod 54 and holds the clapper 52 in closedposition, and a similar spring 51a engages each rod 51 and yieldablyholds clapper 56 in closed position.

Arranged on the inner or bellows side of the sound board 50 are livereed trays, one tray for each row X. The first tray 10a is in engagementwith row of apertures 5Ia and is disposed horizontally. The remainingtrays 101), 100, Ind, and We are disposed at various anglessubstantially in the same manner as trays 58 and are in engagement withthe apertures of the respective rows 5117, He, faint and 516. The reedsides H of said trays are all presented in one direction, as

shown in Figure 13.

As is well known in the art, there are two openings 35 and two reeds 36for each reed chamber, as shown in Figure 11. One reed is arranged onthe outer side and the other reed on the inner side of the plate so thatone reed operates on the compression and the other on the expansion ofthe bellows. Closure members 31, preferably made of thin leather orother soft pliable material, operate to close the respective opening 35when the corresponding reed is to be inactive. The plates 34 are made ofmetal, preferably of brass or aluminum.

The innermost reed trays or blocks are disposed horizontally on thesoundboard, as indicated at 28a in Figure '7 and at 10a in Figure 13. Ifdesired, all of the reed trays or blocks may be laid horizontally byarranging different spacing of the clapper apertures 20. The inclined orhorizontal positions of the reeds permit the air to strike against theside of the reed and to act with full force upon it. This produces finerand louder tones.

The arrangement of the clapper apertures and of the corresponding reedtrays in two groups spaced from each other leaves a substantial largeimperforate central portion on the sound board, thereby increasing theresonance of the board. Each tray consists of a single file or row ofreeds thereby enabling the trays to be so positioned that the reeds ofall the trays of a particular group face in one direction so that thesound waves of the reeds of one tray do not interfere with the soundwaves of the other trays. The grouping or spacing of the sharps andnaturals away from each other and facing the reeds of the two groups inopposite directions prevents interference between the tones of the twogroups and produces more perfect tones which are equaliced or balancedwith each other.

The reed plates 34 are preferably made in separate pieces for each reedchamber 32, but if desired two or more reed plates 34 can be combined inone piece.

Preferably the clapper side of the sound board H has fixed thereto astrip 12 which extends transversely thereof and is disposed opposite toac clamping bar 43, as shown in Figure 9. Thus strip l2 reinforces saidboard at the point at which pressure is applied by bar 12.

The leather piece 26 connecting the rods 24 and 25 forms a flexibleconnection which eliminates noise and jarring of the parts. The end ofrod 25 can move easily and noiselessly through said piece 25 and thelatter being flexible readily dapts itself to the two rods so that nodelicate fitting is required.

The use of Vermilion wood, sometimes called India mahogany, for thesound board enhances the sound qualities thereof and at the same timeprovides strong and durable material which can be readily worked.

While I have shown and disclosed herein the preferred form of myinvention it is obvious that minor changes may be made and substitutedfor those herein shown and described without departing from the spiritof my invention.

I claim:

1. In an accordion the combination of a reed tray comprising a base anda reed chamber member extending outwardly from said base at an anglefrom the vertical, said reed chamber memher having intermediate its endsan outwardly opening slot, the bottom of which is disposed near saidbase, means for securing each end of said base, and a clamp extendingtransversely of said reed chamber member and of said slot and bearingagainst the bottom thereof for clamping said tray intermediate the endsthereof adjacent to said base.

2. In an accordion, an end section including a sound board, a pluralityof reed trays on said sound board, means for securing the ends of eachreed tray in position, each reed tray having formed intermediate itsends a transverse seat, the bottom of which is disposed close to saidsound board, and a bar movably mounted at one end to one of the sidewalls of said end section and extending transversely and engaging theseats of all of said trays and clamping the latter against said soundboard intermediate the ends of said reed trays at a point near the basethereof, and means for securing the other end ofsaid bar to the otherside wall of said section.

3. In an accordion, an end section including a sound board provided withapertures extending therethrough, said apertures being disposed in eightlongitudinal rows arranged in two equal groups spaced from each other toleave a substantial central portion of said sound board imperforate, anda double set of reed trays fixed to one side of said sound board andspaced in-two groups corresponding to the groups of said, apertures,said reed trays being disposed angularly to said sound board and to eachother, the reed faces of the trays of eachgroup facing in one direction.

4. In an accordion, an end section including a sound board provided withapertures extending therethrough, said apertures being disposed inlongitudinal rows arranged in two groups spaced longitudinally from eachotherto leave a substantial central portion of said sound boardimperforatc, and a double set of reed trays fixed to one side of saidsound board and spaced in two groups corresponding to the groups of saidapertures, said reed trays being-disposed angularly'relatively to eachother, the reed faces of the trays of each group facing in a directionopposite to the reed faces of the trays of the other group;

5. In an accordion, an end section including a sound board provided witha plurality of aperture's extending therethrough, said apertures beingdisposed in longitudinal rows spaced longitudinally from each other toleave a substantial central portion of said sound board imperforate, anda double set of reed trays fixedto one side of said sound board andarranged in two groups corresponding to the groups of said apertures,said reed trays being disposed angularly relatively to each other, thetrays of each group being inclined inwardly of said section and the'reedfaces of the trays of each groupbeing presented outwardly.

6. In an accordion, a clapper, an arm pivotally mounted at one end andhaving its other end fixed to said clapper, a key, a rod extendingoutwardly from said key above said arm and parallel therewith, and aleather piece" fixed to said arm and to said rod to form flexibleoperative connection therebetween.

7. In an accordion, a clapper, an arm pivotally mounted at one end andhaving its other end engaging said clapper, a key, a rod fixed to andextending therefrom and spaced from said arm, and a short section offlexible non-metallic material having one end slidably mounted on saidrod and having its other end fixed to said arm to form operativeconnection therebetween.

8. In an accordion, the combination with two longitudinally spaced-apartrods,'of a flat piece of leather apertured at its ends, one end beingslidably engaged with one of said rods and the other being fixed to theother rod.

MAX 3. LUTTBEG.

